The summer heat can get intense in Kansas. Sometimes it feels as though there’s no escaping it. That doesn’t have to be the case though, and no, you won’t have to stick your head in the freezer for a quick blast of icy air come July. Instead, outfit and equip the home with the following summer hacks to beat the heat even when it’s at its worst.
Take Advantage of Fans:
Installing ceiling fans can help generate some much needed circulation. And that lovely cooling breeze doesn’t cost near as much as blasting away the air conditioner all day and night. Simply install a ceiling fan in bedrooms and main living spaces to help cool things down. Then, keep doors open to allow for room-to-room circulation and the difference will be clear!
Switch to CFL:
No, there’s no need to ditch the NFL for their CFL counterparts up north. Instead, switch to CFL bulbs, or even better yet, LED. One of the key reasons why those old-school bulbs use so much more electricity is that energy is wasted producing excess heat. How much of a difference can a single light bulb make? Not too much, but, if you have dozens of lights on for hours upon hours, then it absolutely adds up and starts becoming a factor. Switching to CFLs or LEDs is a great summer hack which lowers energy costs and doesn’t bring more heat into the equation.
Update Appliances:
That home cooked dinner sure is great every night, but if the stovetop and oven aren’t properly ventilated, then the old saying may finally be proven true – ‘if you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen’. Install new appliances with the right vents and hoods in place to help quickly channel that heat out of the home. The same goes for washing and drying machines; make sure they’re fully ventilated so heat is quickly removed and dispersed.
Get Wired for a Smart Home:
With smart thermostats and similar technology, superior control is at any homeowner’s fingertips. For instance, don’t run the AC at hours when nobody is home, pumping out its fullest when it isn’t needed. Instead, invest into a thermostat with the ability to program the temperature for certain times of the day. Let it ru warmer when no one is home. This gives your system a break from working so hard all day. It also stretches the life of the system and allows it to work harder during the hours that you’re actually home and want to be comfortably cool. Home zones can also be created to offer more flexibility and savings as well, and that way, everyone can be at their most comfortable temperature.
Tried and True Summer Hacks:
Put to use a few tried-and-true, classic renovation tricks. For instance, update those old windows with new, high-efficiency windows and frames. They work better to keep the home comfortable in every season. The same goes for doors and entranceways. Exterior awnings can keep out excessive sunlight and heat. Even landscaping can help do the trick, too.
Clearly there are a number of summer hacks to beat the heat, so no homeowner should suffer and sweat in silence. Beyond the instant fixes, consider speaking with a qualified home remodeling contractor about some additional ideas to keep things cool and comfortable.
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in August, 2016 and updated April 2021 for accuracy.